“What happens with the market is an unknown situation,” said Hudler’s agent Petr Svoboda, who would not comment on how far both sides are apart on getting a deal done. “In Jiri’s situation, there’s great communication, great love for the city, the organization, everything else.

“Kenny (Holland) made an offer five days ago, we did not take it,” Svoboda continued. “I don’t know if there will be any meetings or calls before July 1. He is still hoping to go back to Detroit. We’ll see what happens.”

Wings general manager Ken Holland said both sides will probably talk again on July 1.

“We agreed earlier in the week that maybe the best fit for both of us is each other,” Holland said. “It’s a chance for us to explore the market, a chance for Jiri to explore the market. Once you hit July 1, things happen fast.”

The Wings would like to retain him, but probably at no more than around $3.3 million per season.

They’re not going to pay Hudler more than Johan Franzen ($3.95 million a season) or what they expect to pay Filppula on his next deal.

TSN.ca is reporting that New Jersey goalie Martin Brodeur will test free agency on Sunday.

Here is the story:

New Jersey Devils veteran goaltender Martin Brodeur could be wearing a new uniform when the puck is dropped for the 2012-2013 season.

Brodeur, an unrestricted free agent on Sunday, has hired player agent Pat Brisson to represent him and might be ready to test his value on the open market.

The 40-year-old netminder has had limited conversation with the Devils on a new deal and though he could still re-sign with the only NHL team he’s played for, his new agent says he will entertain offers from other teams if an agreement is not reached at the beginning of the free agent period.

“He will be testing free agency if a deal is not in place by Sunday,” Brisson told TSN on Friday.

The Montreal native and three-time Stanley Cup champion was 31-21-4 with a 2.41 goals against average last season and helped lead the New Jersey Devils into the Stanley Cup Final where they were defeated in six games by the Los Angeles Kings.

DETROIT — Wings GM Ken Holland at this to say about not getting a chance to meet with unrestricted free agent defenseman Justin Schultz, “When he chose to not sign with Anaheim there were 29 other teams that he could have played for. I didn’t think all 29 teams would get an audience. I don’t know what his priorities are, but we weren’t on that list.”

Schultz reportedly has narrowed his list of teams he will meet with to Vancouver, Edmonton, Toronto, Ottawa and the New York Rangers.

Money wasn’t an issue because all Schultz is eligible for is a two-year deal, at the entry-level maximum, which includes a $925,000 base salary, a $92,500 signing bonus and $2.85 million in performance bonuses for a cap hit $3.775 million.
Schultz is a two-time Hobey Baker finalist and WCHA defensive player of the year. He totaled 40 goals and 73 assists in 121 games over three seasons with the Badgers.

Hudler could be looking for the type of money Colorado gave forward David Jones this offseason. Jones, who scored just 20 goals and had 17 assists, got a four-year deal with $16 million.

“He’s 28, he’s coming off a 25-goal season,” Holland said last week. “He’s got the right to go to free agency. We’ll see what happens. Right now Jiri will continue take time to determine what he wants to do.”

Hudler rebounded from a disastrous 2010-11 season, when he scored only 10 goals.

This year he benefited from playing on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula.

“Obviously, everybody knows how I feel about Detroit,” Hudler said after the Wings were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Nashville Predators. “I like it, the fans. I don’t know (about the future). We’ll see. It’s a great group. It’s a great hockey team.”

The Wings would like to retain him, but probably at no more than around $3.3 million per season.

They’re not going to pay Hudler more than Johan Franzen ($3.95 million a season) or what they expect to pay Filppula on his next deal.

“Last year didn’t go my way, I was frustrated,” Hudler said last season. “It was tough, but this is a new year.

“I wouldn’t say happy,” Hudler said when asked about his offensive output.

Hudler was delivered a quick message at training camp, beginning his time in Traverse City on a line with Fabian Brunnstrom and Ryan Johnson.

“Those things can’t be given to you for free,” Babcock said at the time.

Two seasons ago, Hudler played on a line with Mike Modano and Danny Cleary.

Hudler, who had worked out in California the last few years prior to the start a season, changed his offseason workout regimen, opting to train this summer with UFC trainer Jonathan Chaimberg.

Hudler scored 23 goals and had 34 assists in the 2008-09 season and it won him a two-year deal from an arbitrator at $2.875 million a season.

Instead he played one season in the Kontinental Hockey League where he had 19 goals and 35 assists in 54 games before returning to Detroit.

The Wings also have two restricted free agents they’ve made qualifying offers to – forward Justin Abdelkader and defenseman Kyle Quincey.

The Wings would like to get Abdelkader to sign a four-year deal at just under $2 million a season.

Quincey could be more difficult to sign at the number the Wings want since he made $3.25 million a year ago. They’re hoping to get him at a modest raise.

DETROIT – The Wings better hope this isn’t a sign of how free agency is going to go once it opens at noon on Sunday.

One of the prized unrestricted free agents, defenseman Justin Schultz, has crossed Detroit off his list of teams he will be play for next season.

“I don’t know if we were ever in it,” Wings general manager Ken Holland said in a phone interview Wednesday. “He became officially free on Monday. We expressed to his agents we have interest in signing him. Don Meehan expressed to me that he would go through the process.

“(Meehan) informed me today we are not one of the teams on his list he wants to sign with,” Holland ended.

Schultz, who turns 22 on July 6, was drafted by Anaheim in 2008, 43rd overall, but couldn’t reach a deal with the Ducks, who had until Sunday before he could begin talks on a contract with any other team.

Money wasn’t an issue because all Schultz is eligible for is a two-year deal, at the entry-level maximum, which includes a $925,000 base salary, a $92,500 signing bonus and $2.85 million in performance bonuses for a cap hit $3.775 million.

Schultz is a two-time Hobey Baker finalist and WCHA defensive player of the year. He totaled 40 goals and 73 assists in 121 games over three seasons with the Badgers.

Schultz (6-2, 185 pounds) is a highly skilled offensive defenseman that analysts say has good hockey sense. He’s a good skater, has the ability to move the puck and has a tremendous shot.